The Board of Pharmacy has announced that it has scheduled a special videoconference board meeting on November 10, 2020. Additionally, the Board will consider at their December Board meeting rules (Notice) that would remove administrative restrictions on pharmacies, pharmacists, and off-site pharmaceutical providers.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On October 30, the Board of Pharmacy issued an order confirming the October 20 HHS guidance allowing Qualified Pharmacy Technician Childhood and COVID-19 Vaccine Administration and COVID-19 Testing. The Board also noted that there is no change to pharmacist prescriptive authority which currently allows pharmacists to vaccinate any age.
Also in New Mexico. The Department of Health held a webinar providing information on the state’s distribution plan and informing that all pharmacies and pharmacists must register as COVID vaccine providers. More information can be found here.
Also in New Mexico. The Department of Health is moving forward with the implementation of the Wholesale Drug Importation Bill, SB-1, that that the Governor signed into law earlier this year. A proposed rule would establish standards to ensure compliance with tracking and tracing requirements and prohibit the distribution, dispensing, and sale of imported drugs outside the state. The rule will be submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services for federal approval. Comments are due by December 1, 2020, and a virtual hearing is scheduled for December 2, 2020.
Also in New Mexico. The Board of Pharmacy approved rules effective April 1, 2021, mandating the electronic prescribing of controlled substances.
Lastly in New Mexico. The COVID Vaccines Planning Group is asking pharmacists/pharmacies interested in administering COVID vaccines to complete a brief on-line survey by November 13, 2020, that will help evaluate pharmacies’ ability and interest in collaborating with the state in COVID-19 vaccination efforts. All pharmacies interested in becoming COVID-19 vaccine providers must enroll on the state’s portal. If you have questions, contact Courtney Lovato at courtney.lovato@state.nm.us. Please complete the survey by November 13, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Medicaid has published a revised version of rules intended to allow pharmacists to bill Medicaid for collaborative drug therapy management, immunizations, and medication administration. This version makes it clearer that pharmacists can use a standing order or protocol as documentation for immunization services. NACDS plans to comment and asks members to send comments to jmccormack@nacds.org by November 10, 2020.
Also in Ohio. On November 19, 2020, the Ohio Department of Medicaid will be offering a Basic Billing fee-for-service training session for pharmacists who will be providing services to Ohio Medicaid patients. Attendees will receive basic information regarding Ohio Medicaid rules, Ohio Medicaid eligibility, MITS portal billing, and other resources. Registration is required. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Tennessee Pharmacists Research and Education Foundation (TPREF), a 501(c)3 charitable research subsidiary of TPA, has been awarded a grant from the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) to provide COVID-19 testing packages (tests and testing systems) AT NO COST to pharmacists, to support their communities and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. NOTE: This opportunity is separate from the Tennessee Department of Health BinaxNOW testing program. TPREF COVID-19 Pharmacy Testing Packages will provide successful applicants with a COVID-19 Testing System and COVID-19 Tests. Applications will be evaluated on a “first-come, first-served” basis. To be eligible for a TPREF COVID-19 Pharmacy Testing Package, the pharmacy practice must currently provide (or be prepared to provide) face-to-face patient care services and possess a current CLIA waiver (or receive a CLIA waiver before delivery). When COVID-19 tests and testing systems become available, TPA will arrange the delivery or a pick-up location after all testing packages have been claimed. For more information and to apply for a free COVID-19 Pharmacy Testing Package, CLICK HERE.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
On November 3, NACDS’ pharmacists from Albertsons, CVS, HEB, Kroger, and Walgreens, as well as the Texas Federation of Drug Stores president, all testified in support of the proposed rules to expand technician ratios. The Board of Pharmacy adopted final rules increasing the pharmacist-to-technician ratio from 1:4 to 1:6 in Class A community retail pharmacies, and totaling eliminating the 1:8 ratio in Class G central processing pharmacies. The Board also voted to expand pharmacy technician duties for Class A and Class G pharmacies, including accepting oral prescriptions, transferring prescriptions, and contacting the prescriber to clarify information on an existing prescription order. The new rules will become effective 21 days after they are submitted to the Texas Register, which could occur by mid-December 2020.
Also in Texas. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Immunization Program is requiring pharmacies register to be eligible to administer COVID-19 vaccines in Texas once they are available. Also, pharmacies must register with ImmTrac2, Texas’ Immunization Information System (IIS), and also register on VaccineFinder.org
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy has published the agenda for the regulation committee’s meeting on November 12, 2020, at 9 am. Instructions to access the virtual meeting are included in the agenda.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Alabama Medicaid Agency, in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), has stated it will allow reimbursement of a vaccine administration fee to Alabama Medicaid pharmacy providers who utilize free influenza vaccines provided by the federal government. The following guidelines have been provided for administering the free vaccines to Alabama Medicaid patients.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
NACDS supported the efforts of members and in-state partners to amend B23-535. As originally introduced, the bill would have required warning labels on opioid prescriptions to be printed in a certain font and color scheme. The compromise amendment adopted during the Committee on Health markup removed the font and color mandate but still requires a warning label. The amended and engrossed version is expected to continue through the legislative process.
Also in the District of Columbia. B23-430, legislation allowing pharmacists to substitute interchangeable biologic products became effective on October 20 following the obligatory Congressional Review. Sponsored by Councilmember Mary Cheh (D) the law’s notification provisions are similar to those NACDS supported in other jurisdictions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy published a final rule that amends regulations under FAC 64B16-27 to clarify requirements for pharmacist supervision of pharmacy technicians. The rule is effective on November 3, 2020.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.